Book Review — Riven Knight (Tin Gypsy #2) by Devney Perry

Isaiah is her protector from the murderer at large in Clifton Forge. Though he’s more like a riven knight in dented armor than a prince on a white stallion. She knows next to nothing about him, other than he works as a mechanic. As of tonight, he’ll be sharing her bathroom. And, according to the judge, Isaiah is now her husband.

After falling in love with Gypsy King a few months ago and having loved literally every single book Devney Perry has written so far, it’s not surprising that Riven Knight was one of my most highly anticipated books of this season and it was just awesome! Just like the first book, this sequel was equal parts mystery and romance and did an excellent job of balancing the two genres within this story. The mystery genuinely kept me guessing and even surprised me with a twist or two along the way, while the romance was sweet, slow-building, and felt very genuine. I got many of the answers I’d been looking forward to at the end of the first book and am already excited to read the next book in this series, even though this one had a pretty resolved ending so all in all, Riven Knight was everything I’d hoped for!

Genevieve Daylee didn’t expect to be standing in front of a judge on her twenty-seventh birthday. But ever since her life became entangled with a former motorcycle gang, she’s learned not to expect anything but trouble.

Her mother, a woman she once admired and adored, is gone, leaving behind a trail of secrets and lies. She’s living in a tiny apartment above a garage owned by her brother, a man who loathes her very existence. And the father she met beside her mother’s grave is as much of a stranger as Isaiah Reynolds, the broken man with soulless eyes standing beside her in front of the judge.

Isaiah is her protector from the murderer at large in Clifton Forge. Though he’s more like a riven knight in dented armor than a prince on a white stallion. She knows next to nothing about him, other than he works as a mechanic. As of tonight, he’ll be sharing her bathroom.

And, according to the judge, Isaiah is now her husband.

If you’re new to these books though, you definitely have to start reading this series with the first in the series: Gypsy King. While each of the books is focused on a different romantic couple, the mystery is a continuous storyline between the books so while they each have standalone elements, this is intended to be read as a continuous series.

Isaih was an intriguing hero – definitely the strong, silent type, hiding a dark past that he wasn’t interested in sharing with the world, but willing to go out of his way to help those in need.

Genevieve was a delightfully strong heroine – very no-bullshit, didn’t sugar coat things or try to soften her words, very self-reliant and stood on her own two feet. I loved that she didn’t need anyone to save her.

For reasons you’ll find out as you read, it made a lot of sense for them to get married. They were complete strangers to each other – strangers who shared a secret only a marriage could protect.

We were here. We were really doing this. I was marrying a stranger today. I was marrying the man who’d saved my life.
It was my turn to return the favor and save his.

As such, the actual romance in this story is understandable extremely slow-building since in the beginning of the story, neither of them ever actually expected to really fall in love. It made a lot of sense for their characters to have that slow-build and I’m really glad that the romance wasn’t rushed as it made it feel much more believable.

“What are we going to do?” she whispered. “People need to think that we’re in love, but I don’t have a clue how we’re going to convince anyone when we just met last wee,”
Thank fuck. “Me either.”

The mystery and suspense side of the story was genuinely puzzling and the closer it got to the end, the more mysterious it got. It’s a pretty intense roller coaster of a ride with a lot of moving pieces. But just when a resolution seemed out of reach, things began to make sense and finally gave me the closure I was searching for.

I’m really looking forward to the next book in this series. This book rolls quite smoothly into the next story without leaving you hanging (thankfully!) but while still intriguing you forward. So personally, I can’t wait for it!

Last night, he’d let his down his guard.
Last night, I’d fallen asleep in his arms.
And last night, I’d stopped pretending I wasn’t in love with my husband.